Health Programming Resources
NNLM Reading Club
The NNLM Reading Club is a selection of “ready-to-use” book titles along with free and downloadable materials designed to help libraries support the health information needs in their communities. Through the fun and intimacy of a book club, readers will discuss health and wellness topics important to them and their loved ones as well as discover NIH National Library of Medicine evidence-based consumer health resources.
Let’s Move in Libraries
Let’s Move in Libraries is a great place for library professionals to be inspired by, learn about and share excellent program ideas to get their communities moving.
Programming Librarian: Health and Wellness
Programming Librarian is a searchable database of library program ideas from the American Library Association Public Programs Office.
Public Library Association
Public Library Association Health Resources has the tools, program ideas and primers you need to stay up-to- date on health literacy topics from PLA.
WebJunction: Health Happens in Libraries
WebJunction: Health Happens at Libraries is a program that magnifies the role of public libraries as key contributors to community health. Visit for health information news, resources, and webinars for public libraries.
Evaluation Resources
Project Outcome
Project Outcome from the Public Library Association is a FREE online toolkit designed to help public libraries understand and share the impact of essential library programs and services by providing simple surveys and an easy-to-use process for measuring and analyzing outcomes.
NNLM Evaluation Center provides some resources important in library programming including the 5 Steps to an Evaluation Plan.
Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) Evaluation Resources
Evaluation Guide for Public Libraries is a 32 page downloadable guide developed for the Urban Libraries Council through an IMLS grant.
American Library Association's Planning and Evaluation webpage
National Impact of Library Public Programs Assessment (NILPPA) is not an evaluation tool but via NILPPA the American Library Association is collecting data from libraries across the country about the impact of library services and programs.
NNLM Funding
The Network of the National Library of Medicine (NNLM) provides funding including for projects to improve access to health information. If your library has a health related project, we encourage you to apply. Funding is for organizational members of NNLM. This membership is free.
The NNLM is made up of 7 geographical regions and funding is specific to each region. Check the map to see which region your organization resides. Sign up for your region's newsletter or listerv to receive funding announcements. You can also contact your region's office to ask questions.
See what funding is available and learn more about past funded projects.
Additional Reading
Wahowiak, L. (2018, October 1). Libraries, public health work together on Community Health: Settings serve as community hubs. The Nation's Health. Retrieved September 21, 2022, from https://www.thenationshealth.org/content/48/8/1.2
Mead, A. (2021, November 18). Rural Libraries Help Communities Access Health Information. The Rural Monitor. Retrieved September 21, 2022, from https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/rural-monitor/rural-libraries/
Public Health and Public Libraries. Midwestern Public Health Training Center. (2021, May 22). Retrieved September 21, 2022, from https://www.mphtc.org/libraries/
NNLM Classes
Grants and Proposal Writing, online self-paced and on-demand class
Beyond an Apple a Day, is an class about the basics of providing consumer health information services and programming